The Twilight hunk has signed on to star in Mission: Blacklist, a psychological thriller based on military interrogator Eric Maddox and his team's real-life search for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein that ended in the erstwhile Ace of Spades' capture.

Pattinson's rep confirms to E! News that he will take on the role of Maddox in the film, which is based on the latter's novel, Mission: Black List #1. Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire is set to direct.

The flick is being shepherded by Embankment Films, which aims to sell it at the Cannes Film Festival later this month. As it happens, the 25-year-old thesp is expected to grace the Croisette for the world premiere of his latest vehicle, David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, so no doubt his presence will aid in that effort.

Variety reports that Pattinson is also attached to Rover, a drama from Animal Kingdom helmer David Michod in which he'll play a member of a band of thieves who are pursued by a man (Guy Pearce) through the Australian outback after they steal his car.